Hey guys, I own a 1993 Q45, a 1996 Q45, and a 2005 Q45. They are the best japanese sedans of all time. I will always own them and love them. If you can find a clean one, and you can if you look hard enough, buy it, maintain it, and enjoy it. They are an underrated, overlooked gem.
@@GodisGracious1 yes it is. I’ve owned the 2005 Q since 2016, around 8 years. In that time the only repair I’ve needed was an egr valve and one valve cover gasket (I did both but only one side had any leaks.) It is the most reliable car I’ve ever owned and I love it so much I can’t imagine selling it. It is the best motor vehicle purchase I’ve made, equal to a Lexus SC400 I got when I was 19.
@@smoketaylor2885 Lexus had it first in other countries. Acura adapted to the backup camera very early as well. I used to own a 2003 Acura MDX Touring that had factory Navigation and a rearview camera.
@notforeveryone7334 That isn't even accurate. Lexus had it in 1991 via the special package Toyota Soarer from 1991 to 1997, but not in the USA until April 2003 on the RX 330. Infiniti was first in USA in March 2001 on the 2002 Q45. Acura didn't offer a backup camera until autumn 2003 in the *2004* MDX, not 2003 MDX.
There was a big controversy when this generation first came out. Infiniti said it would do 0-60 in under 6 seconds I think. None of the car review magazines could get anywhere near that time. Eventually Infiniti had to admit they only got that time by using a stripped down car with no seats and a 100lb driver.
I still have one in our Lexus fleet. The LS430 is a much better car in the long run. No cheap plastics anywhere. I can’t say the same for Infiniti and Acura, much less for Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
@CGJ7755 It wasn't introduced in 2002. These were revealed in April *2000* and released in March 2001. Please stop assuming model years literally mean that's the year it debuted, because it doesn't mean that.
The best years for Q45 as a "driven car" would have to be 2005-2006, in 2005 they improved the throttle response of the engine and transmission shifting points, it became truly a very fast car, capable of 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. 2005 the car was also given a facelift with a more proper prominent grille and tail lights. The best year for a Q45 as a nostalgic or classic car would be 1990-1993 the "Phase I years." They truly are solid as vaults. My parents have gone for rides with me and commented they feel like a "Japanese-built rolls royce."
@@Aaron.Crow512 they are very nice cars but the second generation Q45 is not a true Q45, they were entirely based upon the Nissan Cima with a 4.1 liter V8. The first generation and the third generation (which he reviews) is based on the Nissan President. They are still handsome and well built luxury cars, and the majority of people would be very happy with them.
@@CGJ7755 Totally agree. That was way way out of my league at the time, but not Dad's. I was a strong advocate for it, but he went Audi V8 - cost a lot more and I'm not at sure it justified the price difference.
@@joeseeking3572yeah he made a bad choice… Audis especially of that time period were very bad cars and the costs of repairs were absurd…. I never ever see any old A8s, they’ve all been junked by now.
Try to find an early 2000s Infiniti M45, same powertrain but in a midsize car. Very cool car and very rare. I live in Los Angeles and have only seen a few ever!
Many get ragged out, much like the G35. There's an auto transporter at the auction I used to work at who had a couple of them parked out on the street for when he wanted to run around in between jobs, both seemed to be donors for each other. I definitely consider it the Japanese version of a Mercury Marauder-- very similar vibe or presence.
My 2002 Nissan Maxima ( same as infinity) was the biggest piece of crap I ever owned. Would constantly blow ignition coils, and the design made the head gasket leak oil. It was fast and luxurious but pure garbage. I'll never buy another Maxima or Nissan car.
No mention of the rear seat controls in the armrest? Much like the LS430, there was an optional reclining rear seat (among other things), and it does appear to have some buttons in there. Also, height of the seats is more about raising H-point (height of ones hip) for easy ingress/egress and safety against ever higher (truck/SUV) bumpers, seeing out over the dashboard and doors, and rear foot room-- not so much about the airbags. An FRS has the airbags in the seat, and you're still practically on the floor (more so than even a Viper RT-10). There's no reason to have a seat way up in the air because of airbags.
Misleading video, considering it came STANDARD with side airbags. The 2004 Q45s were released in 2003 (not in 2004) and based on the 2002 Q45, released in March 2001 and first revealed in April 2000. If you're trying to educate people about these cars, it's not helpful posting contradictory "facts".
unfortunately this wasn't a fully loaded model. i could go on and on about the small details nissan added. i had a 02 fully loaded before i got my fx50 and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. VK engine is one of the best to come out of Japan
the VK45DE was and is a fantastically overbuilt, silky smooth V8 with a wonderful, responsive powerband and an amazing throttle sound as it gets to 3,000 rpm and above.
I know why these flopped. interior my materials are embarrassing. Infinit improved by the last generation M but the infotainment fascia looks... worse than Nissan
Thanks for featuring the Q45. We only ever hear about the overwhelming and deserved success of the the first Lexus, and yet I can't help but think that the far more dynamic Q45 should have deserved far more love than it received. I do recall it was badly let down by really stupid irrelevant marketing, which would become the de facto playbook as to "how NOT TO LAUNCH a new car brand".
I only know of one issue in these cars, which is the early 4.1L V8 engines having plastic timing chains which were NOTORIOUS for failing. The newer ones and all the 4.5L V8 engine have metal timing chains (both the 4.1L and 4.5L are VH45DE engine). If you get an older one with the 4.1L V8, make sure you get that plastic timing chain replaced with a metal one ASAP. But once you do? You have a very reliable car. These things are very well built, aside from that one thing with the timing chain.
Actually the 4.1s were fine. The issue was the 4.5s made between 1989 up to around July of 1992 (1990-1992 model year cars) had the plastic timing chain guides, these would chip off and fall into the oil pan where they would get sucked into the sump and starve the engine of oil. this generally would happen when a car hit close to 70k miles and up, in many cases theres cars with substantial miles that the guides did break, but the bits would settle in the pan and not into the oil intake. any model year 1993 and up did not have this issue.
Not many of them, the most notable would be the Lexus LS400/430 and the Infiniti Q45. They were overbuilt and very well designed, the best sedans of all.
Smooth low down torque like an old small block. Super thirsty. My 2005 FX45 drinks premium like there's no tomorrow but so smooth. Jumps off the line but down on midrange and top end grunt. You have to get on it for passing.
@CGJ7755 absolutely. I'm mad as hell while pumping the gas. When I get in and here that growl when I start it I completely forget what I was mad about. Lol
The 2002-2004 infiniti M45 Y34 Chassis, you should feature same motor as the Q45 but is quicker and more sleek. I had one it was an awesome car. It's down fall was the electrical issues
These had the coolest headlights and were really the only multi-projector lights until LEDs came out. Otherwise, this car looks nice but bland. It looks like a decent Lexus alternative without the Toyota Tax.
Had an 02 model a few years ago, I loved that car. It was well optioned as well. It had a climate control and radio control system in the back seat, sunshades, and reclining heated seats in the back. My friends loved it back there lol. It also had adaptive cruise control, from 2002! It was a great system, but it being an early system it didn’t work at all when it rained. Cool regardless!
the trunk has handled numerous road trips for me, hauling substantial cargo... I occasionally will empty the spare tire and jack out so I can use the spare well for more storage.
Nissan never really tried to hide it though, they were proud of their roots. When introduced in 1990 it was “Infiniti by Nissan” and many owners would call their cars “Nissan Infinitis”
@@CGJ7755 Also factual. I'm partial to the one that basically didn't sell whatsoever, the '03-04 M45. Original Pontiac GTO recipe done by the Japanese.
Too bad, it's hard to own cars like these and keep them safe and justify the money out into them. Most insurance companies may total them out for minor accidents.
I looked at these periodically when they were a couple of years old as a budget alternative. On paper they had all that I wanted, but I could never get past the exterior (and interior - what a horrible dash) design. I will give it the headlights though. In the end I found 2006 M45 to be much more attractive and more dynamically interesting. I really liked the 3rd gen M; the 4th gen was a huge letdown by which time Infinity had become irrelevant to me. Still think the 3rd gen M is a good choice for someone looking for a budget sport sedan that can be a used as a daily without worry and without sacrificing much considering they're 15 years (or so) old now.
No it doesn't. 2002 Altima borrowed from this design. The Infiniti was designed around 1997-1998, while the Altima was a 1999 final prototype. Same story with the J30 and 1993 Altima, both designed 1988-89.
Whenever I think of Japanese luxury sedans I think of rear wheel drive but not just that I think of smaller engines mostly six cylinder engines like the 80s Toyota Cresita and the Nissan Maxima as well as some other Lexus models but I don’t think about a big V8 in a Japanese sedan The Japanese are used to making smaller engines not big ones I don’t think I knew that this vehicle existed until about yesterday
The Lexus LS and Infiniti Q45 were the first and for a very long time the only Japanese sedans that had V8 engines. They did a fantastic job, and the build quality is impressive even today.
I always felt bad that this capable machine was given such an awful outfit to wear. It was determined to be awkward looking. You can’t even dress it up well in the aftermarket like the big Lexus cars.
@@chaseteter I suppose. The Q45 was always made to look understated and barely noticeable. It was part of the Japanese zen design that went into it from the very start.
correct, however its not an altima, but it is made by nissan, which only makes altima derived cars. You got the Altima, Smalltima, HVAC Installtima, Walker Paultima, Crash into the Walltima, Becky we goin to the Malltima, Haultima, and this car here, being a used infiniti, is a "worth fuck-All-tima."
Facelifted LS430 still looks good when kept up. Jag XJ8 as well, especially since the follow up looked like an anteater in comparison. An LS460 by comparison to the LS430... bit too blobby and let it sit too long with too many "updates." I like the subtle "boxed" fender flares of the LS430.
My girlfriend’s 2015 Kia Sorento has a backup camera too and how in the hell that my 22 year old Volkswagen has side airbags but this INFINITI doesn’t just floors me
@@CarringtonHollister Also, 22 years ago, VW was all-in on taking the brand up a notch vs. all the other mainstream brands, just like Mazda's trying now. Those 2002 VW had a lot of standard equipment that wasn't even available on other similar competitor's models.
I have a friend with the CT4 which is a CTS V type evolution, and he admits although his car is clearly faster, my car rides better and is more comfortable to be in, and "fast enough" in his opinion.
@@CGJ7755 The CT6 was released in 2016, the CTSV was out while the CT6 was released. The CTSV was gone in 2019, the CT6 V blackwing was made from 2018 to 2020, very shortly after the CTSv was discontinued, the CT5 blackwing was released.
@NickKerrwannaCrakr Now, that I agree with. Nissan did this twice and it never sense. I have the photos of the 2002 Altima being designed at Nissan studios in the late 90s and it's pretty obvious, the Q45 above was already finalized and got used as a reference, which was inevitable when the 2000 Maxima looked quite similar. Similar mistakes were made with the Infiniti J30 (1992) and original Altima Stanza (1992). Made the Infiniti look cheapened.
It never does one well to be too gullible and trust an uninformed RU-vidr. I do wish the vlogger would do his research, instead of encouraging fallacies like the idea Infiniti didn't offer side airbags as standard in $60k+ flagship V8 luxury sedan.
@@CGJ7755If people did their own research, instead of blindly trusting the account of a RU-vidr who was likely not even born when a past model went into development, maybe they'd not need you to correctly inform them.
@@CGJ7755Sad you have to explain this even, but it seems like the average online commenter comments first, without giving some pause and thinking first.
